Electrical contact device

ABSTRACT

An electrical contact device comprising a housing having elongated recesses associated in pairs, extending at an acute angle and forming a channel. Spring loaded clamping members are arranged in the elongated recesses. Electrical conductors introduced through the elongated recesses are automatically locked and retained by the clamping members and the clamping members are tilted from their inoperative position into a position in which they rest against the electrical conductor.

United States Patent 11 3,604,876

nventor Max Pasbri 3,376,545 4/1968 Anzini 339/273 S [72] I CassLuce-31a all'Eco, Orselina, 2,539,333 1/1951 Silbermann 339/255 LSwitzerland 2,705,787 4/1955 Benander 339/255 L [21] Appl. No. 785,9212,770,794 11/1956 Hofmann... 339/255 L X [22] Filed Dec. 23, 19682,795,677 6/1957 Slater 200/166 CT [45] i nl Sept. 14, 1971 2,946,036 7/1960 Bettencourt 200/ 1 66 CT X 1 1 Priority 1967 3,052,867 9/1962Rogoffm 339/255 x [33] Switzerland 3,165,614 1/1965 Carissim1et a1.200/166 CT 1 1 "803/67 3,315,052 4/1967 Goto 200/166C'1'XContinuation-impart of application Sex-.No. Prima Examiner R 0 JonesI968 now Patent AttorJZy-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [54] ELECTRICALCONTACT DEVICE 47 Claims, 41 Drawing Figs. [52] 11.8. CI ..200/166 CT,

273 ABSTRACT: An electrical contact device comprising a hous- [51 Int.Cl H011! 9/02, i h vi el at d recesses associated in pairs, extending atH011 an acute angle and forming a channel. Spring loaded clamping [50]Field 01 Search ZOO/166; m mbe are arr nged in the elongated recesses,Electrical 273 5, 243 S conductors introduced through the elongatedrecesses are automaticall locked and retained b the clam in members and[56] Rderences cued the clampi ng members are tilted i'rom theiriniperative posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tion into a position in whichthey rest against the electrical 2,236,506 4/1941 Hirsch 24/121Conductor- PATENTEU SEP] 4 I971 sum 01 0F 15' FIG,2

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' sum 13 nr 15 PATENTEDSEPMISYI v sum 1; or 15 PATENTEDSEPMIQYM awn-I876sum 1SOF15 ELECTRICAL CONTACT DEVICE This is a continuation-in-part ofmy copending application Ser. No. 700,933 of .Ian. 26, 1968, now US.Pat. No. 3,551,883.

It is already known to provide contact devices, e.g. terminals forconnecting lighting installations, with self-locking clamping devices.Here the bared end of the wire is merely inserted and then slightlywithdrawn, causing self-locking and a good contact. These devices havethe advantage of eliminating screws or soldered joints. Generally theself-locking of the conductor end is achieved by a clamping member withan auxiliary spring. The known constructions have the disadvantage thatthe introduced conductor ends, particularly in the case of strandedwires, may easily foul the spring and block the same so that theself-locking effect does not occur. Larger contacting devices, intendedfor larger numbers of conductors or for the selective insertion of wiresto make different connections are expensive and have therefore not beenwidely adopted. Another drawback of the known construction is that theself locking can be released only by means of special tools or not atall. Furthermore, with the increasing reduction in size, the

manufacture of the known contact devices becomes increasingly moreexpensive, and with very small constructions handling and functionalreliability of the known devices are increasingly insecure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention of providing acontact device of the kind hereinbefore described, whereby safe contactand easy release are combined with cheap manufacture and full functionalreliability is ensured even with very small elements produced by massproduction methods.

In the contacting device according to the invention the chamber isformed by two bores intersected at an acute angle, wherein the springretaining the clamping member is located in one bore and the electricalconductor in the other.

The invention will be, further described by way of example withreference to the accompanying drawings, and in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a block-shaped contact device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a disk-shaped contact device;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the housing partly removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the contact device of FIG. 3 along theline LI-LI;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of FIG. 4 with the housing fitted;

FIG. 6 is a partly broken away view in perspective of another embodimentof a terminal block;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the FIG. 6 embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of an embodiment with an actuator common toseveral clamping bodies;

FIG. 9 is a cross section through the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is another cross section through the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 shows a spring with clamping bodies;

FIG. 12 is a cross section of a plug combination;

FIG. 13 is a view of a guide member with hooked in spring end;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of a clamping body;

FIG. 15 is a series terminal block with compressed air actuation;

FIG. 16 is a cross section along the line LXIILXII in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view in cross section, showing a contact strip;

FIG. 18 is a cross section of another construction of a terminal block;

FIG. 19 is a cross section of a single-pin plug embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a terminal block; I

FIG. 21 is a cross section through the embodiment of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a partial axial cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a cross section of another modification; FIG. 24 is a crosssection of the embodiment of FIG. 23; FIG. 25 is an exploded view of theelements of FIG. 21;

FIG. 26 is a side elevation of a clamping body;

- FIG. 27 is a further embodiment of a clamping body;

FIG. 28 is yet another embodiment of a clamping body;

FIG. 29 is an arrangement of clamping bodies with associated springs andslides;

FIG. 30 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 29;

FIG. 31 is a cross section of another embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cross section of an embodiment in which the conductor endsare fitted vertically from the top;

FIG. 33 is a cross section of an embodiment in which the conductor endsare introduced horizontally;

FIG. 34 shows a further terminal block in partial cross section;

FIG. 35 shows a clamping body with clamping roller;

FIG. 36 shows a pushbutton construction;

FIG. 37 is a view in perspective of a dual switch;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of the switch of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a cross section of the switch of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is an axial cross section of a construction in which theclamping body is mounted on a leaf spring;

FIG. 41 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 40.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of a block 301 with bores5 either as blind bores or as continuous bores from one surface toanother. Each bore 5 houses a spring 213 carrying a clamping member 8 atone or both ends. The clamping member 8 has a head 9 with a diameterslightly smaller than the inner diameter of the associated bore 5. Asmay be seen from FIG. 11 at least four steps II are connected to thehead 9, the diameter of the last step being about two thirds of thediameter of the head 9. The last step 11 is connected to a neck 12, theend of which carries a ball 13, the diameter of which is about half thatof the head 9 of the body 8. The length of the neck 12 between the laststep and the ball 13 is substantially equal to the diameter of the ball13. The clamping member may be of metal or plastic.

The spring 13 is preferably wound with increasing diameter so that thewinding diameter is smaller at the ends than the diameter of the ball 13at the end of the neck 12. In addition, the spring has a varying pitchso that the end turns have a substantially tighter spacing than thelarger diameter turns more remote from the clamping member. In thismanner the ball 13 of the clamping body 8 can be simply pushed into theend turns of the spring 213 for assembly. No special device is requiredfor deforming the spring after the fitting of the clamping body, whichremains connected thereto and cannot be detached, irrespective of theoblique positioning of the clamping member. The inner bores 5 extend inthis embodiment parallel to an outer surface of the block 301, Le. theaxes are perpendicular to the front and rear sides 311 and 312 of theblock 301. Further bores 7 extend obliquely to the bores 5 and end nearthe front side 311 or the rear side 312 of the block into the bores 5,forming with these chambers receiving the clamping bodies 8. The obliquebores 7 have a smaller diameter than the bores 5. One bore 5 and onebore 7 form an associated pair. Four pairs are arranged in the block,although the number of pairs of bores may obviously be varied at choice.

Where an insulation is not required for any reason, e.g. intelecommunication engineering, the end opening of the chamber common tothe bores 5 and 7 is flanged over after the insertion of at least onespring 213 with clamping body 8, so that the body 8 can no longer bepushed out of the end face opening by the tension of the spring.

This crimping is not necessary if the front and rear faces are coveredby plastic plates 314 which may be connected by a plastic frame 315 to aplastic housing completely surrounding the metal block 301. The plasticplates 314 contain then bores 316 which are aligned with the bores 7 andhave preferably also the same diameter. When the bared end of aconductor is introduced into one of the bores 316 it passesautomatically into the bore 7 whilst the clamping member 8 is pushedback.

If the conductor is withdrawn from the bore the clamping member 8assumes an oblique position, and the spring follows this movementwithout detaching itself from the clamping member. The steps 11 all reston the bare conductor end and lock the same automatically in position.The resulting good contact is highly insensitive to vibration.

Obviously the configuration of the block 301 can be adapted to widelyvarying applications. The edge length may amount for example to lessthan I cm. and more than I m. The blockmay also form part of anelectrical apparatus. Stripshaped arrangements with several hundredcontacts are used for example for telephone switch gear, or forelectronic computers. FIG. 2 is a disk-shaped embodiment of a plasticblock 301a in which a larger number of bores 5 is arranged in a circle.The oblique bores 7 terminate at the surface of the diskshaped body.This embodiment is suitable for example for the ignition circuit breakerin motor car engines.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, all conductor ends introducedinto the block are electrically connected if the block 301 is of metal,eg of copper or brass. However, the block 301 may also be made ofplastic; in this case conducting zones, e.g. in the form of powderedadmixtures, metal plates, or sheet metal strips may be embedded in theplastic, except into the zone of the oblique bores 7 and being drilledduring the drilling. Also, several conducting zones, such as strips maybe arranged at narrow spacing adjacent to one another, where'in'theinserted end of the conductor makes connection with several other bores.However, so long as no conductor end has been inserted into theassociated bore the other bores are not connected or are connected byother paths. The bores may also be so manufactured that a framework ofsleeves which are electrically conducting either wholly or in certainzones and which are correspondingly wired together, are cast into aplastic block. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the block 301 maybe'm'ade wholly of insulating material. In this case the conductor endsinserted into the bores 316 in the front face are each connected throughthe two clamping members 8 and springs 213 with the associated conductorend inserted on the rear side.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment in which metal plates 318 are arrangedparallel to each other and isolated by plates 319 of insulatingmaterial. As shown in FIG. 7 this arrangement is" housed in a plastichousing 321 covered by a cover 322. For facilitating the assembly andimproving the same, a bore 323 may extend between the bore 5 andperpendicularly thereto and a stud or screw may be fitted into this boreextending over the whole unit. In this embodiment the conductor endsfitted into the bore of a plate 318, for example a current lead andthree current caps, are electrically connected, but the conductor endsare insulated against those fitted into the adjacent plate. The plates319 of insulating material, separating the metal plates, serve also asabutments for the conductor ends introduced into the oblique bores 7.Thus when a certain length is observed for bearing the wire a goodcontact is always produced, i.e. the clamping member 8 does not makecontact with an insulated part of the wire, and no bare wire is in frontof the cover 322. In this way a large amount of safety may be producedfor operation at higher voltages.

In the embodiments just described, the self-locking action may bereleased by introducing a pointed tool next to the conductor end andpushing the clamping body 8 back. If the conductors are to be releasedand possibly regrouped more frequently, an embodiment should be usedwhereby all conductor ends can be released simultaneously.

. In the embodiment in FIG. 8 and 9 several metal sleeves 324 arearranged in a plastic housing 325 and held in spaced-apart relationshipby spacers 326. The metal sleeves are slotted parallel to the innerbores 5 with the slots extending only over apart of the whole length. Apin 327 with an operating handle 221 outside the housing 325 isdisplaceable in the slots. Substantially in the center of the springs213 a bored ball 329 is pushedbetweentwo turns of the springs and thepin327 passes through the bores of the balls 329. If the actuating handles221 are pushed to the left, as viewed in the drawing, the clampingmembers 8 are pulled back from the associated guide faces on the innerwall of the plastic housing 325 and the self-locking effect acting onthe conductors is released. If the operating handles 221 are pushed tothe right, the left-hand clamping members 8 are withdrawn.

FIG. 13 shows a double-spring arrangement in which the ball 329 isreplaced by a cylindrical guide member 329a having on both sideschannel-shaped recesses 329!) with diskshaped ends 3296. The ends 329vhave a slightly larger diameter than the end windings of the springs213. The guide member 329a ensures the linear displacement in the innerbores 5 even where only one actuating handle 221 has been provided. Thisprevents tilting and jamming ofthe pin 327. Since the spring ends aresimply pushed into the recesses 32% the assembly is very simple.

FIG. 14 shows that the clamping body 8 has at its head 9 a plate-shapedserration 306a. In embodiments without actuating means, a pin is engagedinto the serration 306a for pushing back the clamping member 8. Theserration 306a may be replaced also by any roughened portion.

In the embodiments of FIG. 15 to 19 the locking action is released byusing a pressure medium, namely a gaseous medium under pressure orvacuum such as compressed air. In special cases also liquid media can beused particularly where other properties are utilized, e.g. where thesame serves to improve the contacts or the insulation;

In the embodiments shown in FIG. 15 and 16, a plastic strip 35,containing fracturing points 36, comprises sleeves I the ends 6 of whichterminate in inlets for a pressure medium and are arranged inspaced-apart relationship on the long sides of the plastic strip 35. Forintroducing the bare wire ends 506 to be connected there are obliquebores 7 leading to the upper surface of the plastic strip 35. For betterguiding the bared wire end each sleeve 1 is pressed in as at 507.

The inner bore 5 of the sleeve receives a spring 21 wound in the shapeof a double cone. Clamping members 8 are so hooked into the ends of thespring 21 as to permit a tilting movement. Each inner bore 5communicates with an associated bore 508 for the pressure mediumarranged on the upper side of the plastic strip 35.

The pressed in portions 507 have the effect of forming a venturi nozzle.If compressed air is applied to one of the openings 505 the compressedairflow pushes the clamping member 8 back against the force of thespring 21 and leaves through the associated outlet 508. The venturieffect creates a suction in the oblique bore 7 which substantiallyfacilitates the introduction of the bare wire end 506. When the supplyof compressed air is shut off the spring 21 tilts the clamping body 8against the inserted wire 506, causing it to be locked. If required thewire can be changed for example for making new connections by applyingcompressed air.

Obviously instead of a pressure medium being applied to the inlets 505it is also possible to apply a vacuum to the outlets 508, or both thesefeatures may be combined.

For the assembly on building sites or the like small portable apparatuswith compressed air bottles may be used. Since the making of theconnection in the apparatus according to the invention is achieved veryquickly, a small airblast is sufficient.

It is also of interest to note that this embodiment is also suitable forwires which are so thin that they cannot be gripped with the usual screwconnectors and which must not be kinked such as for example inelectronic computers.

Where very small clamping bodies 8 must be used for connecting very thinwires it might, as shown in FIG. 17, be convenient to associate a piston509 with each clamping member. The connection between the clamping body8 and the piston 509 must however be such that the clamping body 8 andthe piston 509 must however be such that the clamping body 8 can tiltinto engagement with the introduced wire end 506. If a vacuum or suctionis applied to the outlet 508, for example by means of a nozzle 511, thepiston is retracted against the action of its associated spring 21.Conveniently the cross section of the piston is smaller than the bore 5of the sleeve 1. Consequently air is drawn in through the oblique bore 7and this may substantially facilitate the introduction of the wire end506.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is particularly suitable for connectingthe wire ends of larger cable trees 504. The oblique bore 7 crossobliquely substantially in the center of the sleeve 1. The outlets 508are provided at the side of the terminal block whilst the inlets 505 areon its upper side between the bores 7. The springs 21 are secured bypins 512.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19 the sleeve 1 is housed in a single pin plug514 having at its rear end an inlet 505. The outlet 508 may be providedon the surface of the single pin plug 514. However the deairing may alsobe effected through the plug pin. The wire end 506 to be connected tothe plug 514 is clamped into a pan-shaped contact lug 515. The clampingmember 8, having in this case no steps between head and neck rests underthe action of the associated spring 21 in the cavity of the contact lug505 and locks the same automatically.

If desired a larger number of clamping devices may be actuated togetherby using a nozzle connection 513, which as shown in FIG. covers a largernumber of inlets 505.

The embodiments shown are cheaper to manufacture than conventionalterminal blocks and have the additional advantage that the introductionof wires at difficult points of access is much facilitated. The clampingmembers 8 may be plastic components easy to manufacture by massproduction methods. The undoing of connections by unauthorized personsis less likely to occur than in conventional screw connections. If nocompressed air source is available, the self-locking action can bereleased by introducing a pointed tool or a thicker wire into the flowinlet 505. The front face of the clamping element 8 has a serration orroughened portion to prevent the tool from slipping off. Where this isto be prevented, e.g. for connections to counters or monitors, the flowinlet 505, i.e. the channel leading to the clamping body 8 can be kinkedor curved.

The terminal block embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 29 consists of ahousing 601 of insulating material, made in two parts, i.e. prior to theassembly of the clamping element the housing consists of a base and anupper part which are joined by gluing or welding after the assembly. Theupper part of the housing 601 has in its roof-shaped sloping sidewallinlets 602 into which the ends of the conductors to be connected areinserted. Between the inlets 602 are recesses in which a slide 603 isslidingly mounted. To prevent the slide 603 from being lost they haveprojections 604 guided in associated grooves, as shown in FIG. 22. Thewires 605 introduced through the opening 602 into a chamber 5, arelocked in position by clamping elements 8 affected by the action of ahelical spring 21. The clamping elements 8 have necks 12 and ball shapedends 13 which are hooked into the springs 21. A part of the lower wallof the chamber 5 consists of a strip 609 of conducting material, havingnear the inlet orifices 602 punched obliquely downwardly extendingtongues to form an oblique bore for the conductor ends 605.

The clamping elements 8 have each a bore 606', extending transversely tothe conductor end 605, with a rod 606 passing therethrough. As shown inFIG. 29 this rod has thicker and thinner sections 607 which provide anequidistant spacing for the clamping elements 8 which are in this mannerthreaded on the rods 606. Since this threading can be done by machines asimple and convenient method of manufacture is provided by theinvention.

The slides 603 have each two T-shaped slots 608. They are fitted to therods 606 by slightly pushing the same together against the force of thesprings 21. After releasing the springs 21 the slides are firmly mountedon the rods 505 with the horizontal extending parts of slots 608.

In the embodiment of FIG. 23 the contact strip 609 has an oblique guideface for the inserted conductor end 605. The clamping elements may inthis case be flat members. The insertion orifices 602 may also beslot-shaped, enabling for example two conductor ends 605 to be grippedby the same clamping elements 8, FIGS. 27 and 28 show differentembodiments of clamping elements.

FIG. 30 shows that also the slides 603 may be threaded on to the rods606, i.e. horizontal slots 608' are provided for receiving the rods 606.A clamping element 8 and a slide 603 are alternatively fitted to therods 606. A condition for the function is that the housing 601 is in twoparts so that the arrangement of rods 606, clamping elements 8, helicalsprings 21 and slides 603 is fitted as a unit to the lower part of thehousing 601. Then the upper part is mounted on the lower part.

FIG. 31 shows an embodiment which may have a very flat construction.They are particularly suitable for installations to be mounted under theplaster. The strip 609 forms two oblique abutments for the wire ends 605to be introduced. To ensure the reliable fixing of the wire ends 605 onthe strip 609, the latter has a groove recess 609 extending in thedirection of the wire end and adapted to receive the same. Consequentlythe contact surface between the wire 605 and the strip 609 is increasedand the transfer resistance is reduced.

The embodiment of FIG. 32 comprises a substantially V- shaped strip609a. This embodiment is intended for installations in which the wireends must be inserted vertically from the top. The axes of the helicalsprings 21 form an upwardly widening angle with one another, and withthe inserted wires 605.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 33 is suitable where two aligned wires 605have to be inserted from different sides. Since this arrangement may bevery flat it is suitable for switches, plugs and similar installations.The strip 60% is bent in the shape of a roof and the conductor ends 605are guided by punched lugs 609a.

FIG. 34 shows in perspective a terminal strip with fracturing points611. At these fracturing points 611 the slide 603 may be omitted. Ifnecessary a screwdriver may be used for moving the rod 606 to release afitted wire end.

FIG. 35 shows that the clamping element 8 can be replaced by a clampingwheel 612 which carries a serration and is mounted rotatably in acylindrical guide. The guide slides in a chamber 5'.

FIG. 36 illustrates that push buttons 613 can be used instead of theslides 603; to ensure a reliable guide of the pushbutton, the latter haspreferably two guide lugs 604.

FIGS. 37 to 39 illustrate the installation of the device into a switch,with the special advantage that the switch housing may be very flat.Hence these embodiments are suitable for fitting under the plaster ofthin walls such as partitions or other auxiliary walls. The conductingstrip 609 in each chamber 5 is connected to a contact actuated by theswitch handle.

The bores in the clamping elements 8 must always be large enough toprovide sufficient play for tilting into the oblique position.Conveniently the points of attack are so chosen that the helical spring21 pushes the clamping element into the oblique position.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 40 and 41, the bared conductor 1002 isinserted into a bore 1004 extending parallel to the base plate 1003 of aswitch housing or housing of another installation element. The baseplate 1003 of nonconducting plastic has a contact strip 1005 of metalwhich supports the conductor 1002. A blind bore 1020 extending obliquelyto the bore 1004 forms with the latter a chamber 1009 which receives aclamping element 1007. The latter is hooked with its spherical end 1007ainto a rhomb-shaped of a leaf spring 1018. For releasing the conductorring the leaf spring 1018 may be pulled back by means of a clip 1021.The switch housing has a recess 1019 which substantially facilitates thefabrication and assembly of the unit. When the conductor 1002 isreleased, the clamping element 1007 swivels into the recess 1019.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for the detachable and self-locking clamping of a pluralityof electrical conductors, comprising a housing having a plurality offirst and a plurality of second elongated recesses, each first elongatedrecess being in communication with an associated second elongated recessand the longitudinal axes of which form an acute angle with each other,each first elongated recess having at least one pressure spring with atleast one associated clamping body biassed by the pressure spring, eachsecond elongated recess adapted to receive an end of an associatedelectrical conductor, a plurality of openings arranged in at least onewall of the housing in communication with at least one of the elongatedrecesses for the introduction of the ends of the electrical conductorsinto the housing, each clamping body being pressed by the associatedpressure spring in the direction towards the associated opening in thewall of the housing andat least one actuating means accessible from theoutside of the housing whereby to push the clamping bodies back againstthe action of their associated.

pressure springs. I

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said actuating means is in the form ofa pressure medium source whereby a flow of pressure medium is passedthrough said first elongated recesses pushing back the clamping bodyagainst the face of the pressure spring.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the chamber receiving the clamping bodyand formed both by the first elongated recess and the second elongatedrecess communicates with an inlet for the pressure medium and an outletfor the pressure medium and is shaped to form a venturi nozzlerestriction upstream of the said chamber.

4; A device as set forth in claim 2, including channels interconnectingsaid elongated recesses so that a plurality of clamping bodies may beactuated simultaneously.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein two adjacent sets ofelongated recessesare arranged in a terminal bar element and oppositeelongated recesses of the two sets are arranged so as to form an acuteangle opening in the direction of the electrical conductor to beinserted, wherein the housing consists of an insulating plastic andconducting strips are provided which connect facing elongated recesses.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing is made ofmetal and plates of insulating material are mounted on two oppositefaces of the housing, wherein the plates have elongated recesses forintroducing the conductor ends and the clamping bodies are pressed bytheir associated spring against the edge of the elongated recess.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least some of said firstelongated recesses are blind-holes.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least some of v saidsecond elongated recesses are blind-holes.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least some of said firstelongated recesses are through holes.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least some of said secondelongated recesses are through holes.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which at least some of saidsecond elongated recesses are through holes.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which at least some of saidsecond elongated recesses are blind-holes.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each first and eachassociated second elongated recess is in communication with each otherin the region of the clamping body and in particular in the region ofthe opening in the housing wall.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which means is provided in thehousing for electrical contact of the inserted end of the electricalconductor.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which means is provided for atiltable connection between the pressure spring and the clamping body.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the externally accessibleactuating means for pushing back the clamping bodies is connected withthe clamping bodies over the associated pressure spring.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each clamping body has anapproximately tear-shaped form in which at least .a part of the surfaceof the clamping body is roughened.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which each clamping body isprovided with a stern having a spherically thickended end.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which each pressure spring iswound as a conical coil spring in which the spherically thickened end ofthe stem is suspended in the end turn of the coil spring.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, including a guide piece connectedwith the pressure spring in which the spherically thickened end of thestern of the clamping body is tiltably supported.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each first elongated recessforms a through hole which terminates in two housing wall openings whichlie opposite each other, and the pressure spring is a coil spring withthe shape of a double cone and each of its two ends is tiltablyconnected with a separate clamping body, said clamping bodies eachfacing towards the corresponding housing wall opening, each through holebeing connected with two second elongated recesses in the region of theclamping bodies.

22. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the inner walls of atleast one of the elongated recesses consist of electrically conductivematerial.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first elongatedrecesses are arranged in a plane alongside each other and the actuatingmeans which is accessible from the outside consists of a rod which formsapproximately a right angle with the first elongated recess, its endextending outward from the housing, a longitudinal slot in the wall ofthe first elongated recess, said rod being displaceable in thelongitudinal direction of said slot.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which a handle is fastened toeach said rod extending out of the housing.

25. Apparatus according to claim 36, including longitudinal slots in thehousing which are aligned with the longitudinal slots of the elongatedrecesses.

26. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which the rod passes through alladjacent clamping bodies which have through holes.

27. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which the clamping bodies havethrough holes and are rotatably mounted on the rod, the rod beingpreferably of plastic, having enlarged portions for the spacing of theclamping bodies.

28. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which there' is provided tworods, each of which passes through a row of adjacent bored clampingbodies, each row of adjacent clamping bodies being fastened to theopposing ends of a row of associated coil springs lying alongside ofeach other.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, in which the two rods are connectedwith a pusher which is slidably arranged in recesses of the housing.

30. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which each pressure spring isconnected at its two opposite ends with a separate clamping body and isconnected approximately at its center with the rod.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30, in which the connection of the rodwith the pressure springs is by means of a bored ball connected with thepressure spring.

32. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first elongatedrecesses are approximately V-shaped.

33. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the clamping bodies areapproximately wedge-shaped and are provided with a ribbed surface.

34. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which the clamping bodiesconsist of a grooved roller which is rotatably fastened to an associatedguide piece which is connected with the rod.

35. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first and the secondelongated recesses are arranged in a plurality of plate-shapedconductive bodies which are electrically separated from each other byplastic boards and are combined into a block by a common plastic frame,and given clamping places in the block are conductively connected witheach other.

1. Apparatus for the detachable and self-locking clamping of a pluralityof electrical conductors, comprising a housing having a plurality offirst and a plurality of second elongated recesses, each first elongatedrecess being in communication with an associated second elongated recessand the longitudinal axes of which form an acute angle with each other,each first elongated recess having at least one pressure spring with atleast one associated clamping body biassed by the pressure spring, eachsecond elongated recess adapted to receive an end of an associatedelectrical conductor, a plurality of openings arranged in at least onewall of the housing in communication with at least one of the elongatedrecesses for the introduction of the ends of the electrical conductorsinto the housing, each clamping body being pressed by the associatedpressure spring in the direction towards the associated opening in thewall of the housing and at least one actuating means accessible from theoutside of the housing whereby to push the clamping bodies back againstthe action of their associated pressure springs.
 2. The device of claim1 wherein said actuating means is in the form of a pressure mediumsource whereby a flow of pressure medium is passed through said firstelongated recesses pushing back the clamping body against the face ofthe pressure spring.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the chamberreceiving the clamping body and formed both by the first elongatedrecess and the second elongated recess communicates with an inlet forthe pressure medium and an outlet for the pressure medium and is shapedto form a venturi nozzle restriction upstream of the said chamber.
 4. Adevice as set forth in claim 2, including channels interconnecting saidelongated recesses so that a plurality of clamping bodies may beactuated simultaneously.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1, whereintwo adjacent sets of elongated recesses are arranged in a terminal barelement and opposite elongated recesses of the two sets are arranged soas to form an acute angle opening in the direction of the electricalconductor to be inserted, wherein the housing consists of an insulatingplastic and conducting strips are provided which connect facingelongated recesses.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein thehousing is made of metal and plates of insulating material are mountedon two opposite faces of the housing, wherein the plates have elongatedrecesses for introducing the conductor ends and the clamping bodies arepressed by their associated spring against the edge of the elongatedrecess.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which at least some ofsaid first elongated recesses are blind-holes.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 1, in which at least some of said second elongated recesses areblind-holes.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least some ofsaid first elongated recesses are through holes.
 10. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 in which at least some of said second elongated recesses arethrough holes.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which at leastsome of said second elongated recesses are through holes.
 12. Apparatusaccording to claim 7, in which at least some of said second elongatedrecesses are blind-holes.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, in whicheach first and each associated second elongated recess is incommunication with each other in the region of the clamping body and inparticular in the region of the opening in the housing wall. 14.Apparatus according to claim 1, in which means is provided in thehousing for electrical contact of the inserted end of the electricalconductor.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which means isprovided for a tiltable connection between the pressure spring and theclamping body.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which theexternally accessible actuating means for pushing back the clampingbodies is connected with the clamping bodies over the associatedpressure spring.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which eachclamping body has an approximately tear-shaped form in which at least apart of the surface of the clamping body is roughened.
 18. Apparatusaccording to claim 17, in which each clamping body is provided with astem having a spherically thick-ended end.
 19. Apparatus according toclaim 18, in which each pressure spring is wound as a conical coilspring in which the spherically thickened end of the stem is suspendedin the end turn of the coil spring.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 18,including a guide piece connected with the pressure spring in which thespherically thickened end of the stem of the clamping body is tiltablysupported.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each firstelongated recess forms a through hole which terminates in two housingwall openings which lie opposite each other, and the pressure spring isa coil spring with the shape of a double cone and each of its two endsis tiltably connected with a separate clamping body, said clampingbodies each facing towards the corresponding housing wall opening, eachthrough hole being connected with two second elongated recesses in theregion of the clamping bodies.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 14, inwhich the inner walls of at least one of the elongated recesses consistof electrically conductive material.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 1,in which the first elongated recesses are arranged in a plane alongsideeach other and the actuating means which is accessible from the outsideconsists of a rod which forms approximately a right angle with the firstelongated recess, its end extending outward from the housing, alongitudinal slot in the wall of the first elongated recess, said rodbeing displaceable in the longitudinal direction of said slot. 24.Apparatus according to claim 23, in which a handle is fastened to eachsaid rod extending out of the housing.
 25. Apparatus according to claim36, including longitudinal slots in the housing which are aligned withthe longitudinal slots of the elongated recesses.
 26. Apparatusaccording to claim 23, in which the rod passes through all adjacentclamping bodies which have through holes.
 27. Apparatus according toclaim 23, in which the clamping bodies have through holes and arerotatably mounted on the rod, the rod being preferably of plastic,having enlarged portions for the spacing of the clamping bodies. 28.Apparatus according to claim 23, in which there is provided two rods,each of which passes through a row of adjacent bored clamping bodies,each row of adjacent clamping bodies being fastened to the opposing endsof a row of associated coil springs lying alongside of each other. 29.Apparatus according to claim 28, in which the two rods are connectedwith a pusher which is slidably arranged in recesses of the housing. 30.Apparatus according to claim 23, in which each pressure spring isconnected at its two opposite ends with a separate clamping body and isconnected approximately at its center with the rod.
 31. Apparatusaccording to claim 30, in which the connection of the rod with thepressure springs is by means of a bored ball connected with the pressurespring.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first elongatedrecesses are approximately V-shaped.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 1,in which the clamping bodies are approximately wedge-shaped and areprovided with a ribbed surface.
 34. Apparatus according to claim 23, inwhich the clamping bodies consist of a grooved roller which is rotatablyfastened to an associated guide piece which is connected with the rod.35. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the first and the secondelongated recesses are arranged in a plurality of plate-shapedconductive bodies which are electrically separated from each other byplastic boards and are combined into a block by a common plastic frame,and given clamping places in the block are conductively connected witheach other.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the housing isa cylindrically shaped block of electrically conductive material. 37.Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the ends of the electricalconductors have spoon-shaped lugs which are clamped fast in self-lockingfashion by the clamping bodies.
 38. Apparatus according to claim 1, inwhich the connection of the first elongated recess with the secondelongated recess forms a chamber.
 39. Apparatus according to claim 1, inwhich the first recesses debouch into the openings in the housing wall.40. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the elongated recesseswhich receive the pressure springs and the clamping bodies are throughholes and the housing consists of a block of electrically conductivematerial, the through holes passing from one sidewall of the block tothe opposite sidewall.
 41. Apparatus according to claim 40, in which theblock is a cylindrical shape and the through holes debouch into the twoend surfaces of the cylinder, while the second elongated recesses whichare formed as bore holes emerge from the cylindrical surface of thecylinder.
 42. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plurality ofopenings in said wall is in communication with the first elongatedrecesses.
 43. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the plurality ofopenings in said wall is in communication with the second elongatedrecesses.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which each clampingbody has an approximately tear-shaped form in which at least a part ofthe surface of the clamping body is provided with grooving. 45.Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the clamping bodies areapproximately wedge-shaped and are provided with a roughened surface.46. Apparatus according to claim 23, in which the clamping bodiesconsist of a grooved roller which is rotatably fastened to an associatedguide piece which is connected with an associateD pressure spring. 47.Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second elongated recessesdebouch into openings in the housing wall.